Some examples of processes within these industries which use compressors include the following:

Refining of natural or synthetic materials

Extraction of natural gases

Distilling of gases and liquids

Fueling energy cells and generators

Manufacturing

Refrigeration

Processing

Compression and storage of gases

In all these cases, it is essential to have the right kinds of valve plates to ensure that the materials are compressed properly and that the valve plate can withstand the elements that it is constantly exposed to.

While you may be familiar with some of the most popular industries that make use of compressor valve plates, some may surprise you.

1. Natural Gas

Compressor valve plates are used in the natural gas industry to extract natural gases from the earth, refine the gases to remove impurities, and pack gases for transportation.

When natural gases are extracted from their natural habitat, they contain many impurities, including, but not limited to, hard substances such as dust and sand, liquids including water and other chemical substances, and unhelpful gases such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.

While the natural gas is being processed, different compressors are used to purify the gas.

Once petrochemicals are separated from each other, compressor valve plates are used to measure and store the correct amounts of olefins and aromatic petrochemicals so that they can be transported to a facility where they are processed and made into useful products.

Some of the most important petrochemicals produced in this way include ammonia, ethylene, methanol, urea, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol.

In this case, having quality compressor valve plates is critical to the processes of liquifying gases, loading and unloading, pressure boosting, and many other applications.

3. Hydrogen Stations

Compressed hydrogen stations coming into use as an energy source in many modern technologies and as a manufacturing component in many industries.

Since hydrogen exhaust safely combines with oxygen in the air to create pure water vapor, it is a fuel source that is safe for the environment.

Hydrogen is highly combustible, which makes it great as a fuel source where high temperatures can be used to power generators as the hydrogen is compressed.

Hydrogen fuel cells have been successfully placed in rockets, airplanes, and land vehicles.

Additionally, hydrogen is used in many manufacturing industries because of its highly reactive properties.

Compressed hydrogen is used in the manufacturing of vehicles, electronics, metals, foods, pharmaceuticals, and many other industries.

When hydrogen is compressed, it can reach extremely high pressure. Therefore, the compressor valve plates need to be strong enough to withstand this.

4. Refrigeration

A basic rule of physics is that increasing pressure on a given material will increase the temperature.

This has been exploited in refrigeration for many years since it was discovered that when compressing a given gas, usually referred to as a refrigerant, it will transform into a hot liquid.

If it is then decompressed, it will cool rapidly, resulting in a refrigerator effect.

In the case of refrigeration, compressor plate valves often are not exposed to corrosive materials or extreme temperatures, which is part of the reason many refrigeration compressors last for many years.

Many industries rely on refrigeration, whether to keep foods fresh, to store materials that would be reactive at higher temperatures, or to maintain a reasonable temperature in a building.

Not all industries that require refrigeration use compressor systems, but it remains a popular use of compressor valve plates.

5. Petroleum Refining

In refining petroleum, compressors are used to distill the product and to create pressure during refining.

Increasing the pressure on gases and liquids results in a change of the energy makeup of those molecules. During refining, different molecules react differently at differing pressures.

If one sort of molecule needs to be extracted, adding pressure can transform that molecule into liquid form while other molecules remain in gaseous form.

Distilling the product by increasing the pressure to allow certain elements to condense purifies the petroleum. Additionally, pressure is used in the processing of petroleum to pack and store the product.

In this case, the valve plates need to be able to withstand very high pressures without leaking and also need to be able to withstand potentially corrosive gases that pass through them.

Many industries including those that process raw materials, those that refine materials, those that store materials, those that transport materials, and those that manufacture many kinds of goods make daily use of compressors.

The use for compressor valve plates is therefore varied, but essential to the continuation of modern industry.

Thermoplastic Plates

Springs

We manufacture our own springs and stock over 2 million springs for a variety of OEM spring styles, forms and materials.

Peripheral Valve Internals

KB Delta offers one of the most complete lines of valve internals in the industry. All of our parts are manufactured to OEM Standards in performance and efficiency.

Complete Valve Repair Kits

KB Delta offers a full line of valve repair kits for all the major reciprocating compressor manufacturers.

P.E.T. Compressor Parts

KB Delta specializes in manufacturing compressor valve parts for high pressure air compressors used in the P.E.T. plastic bottle manufacturing industry.

Industries we serve

Natural Gas Industry

The processing and refining of Natural Gas into a marketable products, by separating gas into pipeline-quality natural gas and a stream of mixed natural gas liquids and the transportation of natural gas to through a series of reciprocating compressor stations and pipes, and from there to end users.

Blow Molding Industry

This industry manufactures blow molding machinery. Injection stretch blow molding process has two main different methods, a single-stage and two-stage process; these are the methods by which hollow plastic parts are formed.

Medical Technology Industry

The medical technology industry is an important part of the healthcare sector. It includes most medical devices which aid the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and illnesses. Established centers of this industry include the United States and Western Europe.